Chapter Five: The Crimson Flame Twin-Tailed Serpent

Li Sibai looked around in confusion at everyone, then at Ye Chunqiao. Ye Chunqiao said nothing; she merely flicked her soft whip, and it seemed to come alive, stretching straight ahead. The gourd-shaped tip began to glow with a faint blue light, which gradually shifted from blue to yellow, then to orange. Meanwhile, the "gourd" ceaselessly probed in all directions, like a starving hound searching desperately for its prey.

Startled, Li Sibai widened his eyes at Ye Chunqiao. It was his first time seeing such a magical weapon. "Could this be the sect’s legendary Soul-Devouring Whip?"

Ye Chunqiao let out a melodious laugh. "So you recognize it?"

"Not bad, little Bai," He Tianshu said. "This is indeed the Soul-Devouring Whip. Elder Yunfei just passed it on to Chunqiao. Do you know what this whip does?"

Li Sibai swallowed. "From what I know, this is one of our sect’s three great treasures. I can’t believe I’m seeing it here with my own eyes."

"You’ll soon witness its wonders," Yao Xueqing told him.

Li Sibai studied the "gourd" again, watching as it changed direction and color—sometimes blue, sometimes yellow, and occasionally orange.

He Tianshu explained, "Each color represents a different rank of demon beast. Blue indicates a Yellow-rank beast, yellow for Profound-rank, orange for Earth-rank, and red for the highest, Heaven-rank. This whip is said to be crafted from the hide of a giant, bloodthirsty cobra that lived for a hundred thousand years atop Cloud Pearl Peak. Many demon beasts met their end under its tyranny; though it wasn’t the strongest beast on the peak, in terms of cunning, ferocity, and sheer might, it easily ranked among the top three.

"Later, the sect’s founder, Master Yu Xu, ascended Cloud Pearl Peak to slay this monster. After a battle lasting a full day and night, he overcame the serpent and crafted this Soul-Devouring Whip from its skin. The 'gourd' at its tip is actually the cobra’s two eyes—its most formidable sensory organs. Thanks to countless years of cultivation, even in death, these eyes retained their properties, able to sense the distance and level of nearby demon beasts."

Such marvels, Li Sibai had never even heard of. Though he knew the whip was one of the sect’s three great treasures, this was his first time seeing it in action.

Just then, the gourd’s yellow light began to flash rapidly, and the whip pointed southeast.

"Everyone, stay in formation! Prepare for battle!" He Tianshu commanded.

From a distance, a rustling sound grew louder and closer, making Li Sibai tense with anticipation.

At last, the group saw the creature approach—a twin-tailed serpent covered in fiery red scales appeared before them. It stretched four to five meters in length, its scales shimmering, and, most peculiarly, it had two tails. The snake seemed startled, having fled here in panic.

"A Scarlet Phosphor Twin-Tailed Serpent!"

He Tianshu rejoiced inwardly. This breed was exceedingly rare. Although this specimen was only a high-tier Profound-rank beast, not quite Earth-rank, every part of it was precious—slaying it would bring great benefit.

"Xueqing, protect Little Bai. Degang, Chunqiao, let’s go. Don’t let it escape!"

As he spoke, Yao Xueqing pulled Li Sibai back, while the other three quickly formed a triangle, surrounding the Scarlet Phosphor Twin-Tailed Serpent.

Gong Degang was the first to strike. He wielded his heavy sword, the Eight Tigers, and thrust it diagonally at the serpent’s vital point. The serpent startled, then immediately whipped one of its tails at Gong Degang in a desperate, reckless attack, seeking mutual destruction.

The group was shocked; they hadn’t expected the snake to be so terrified.

"Senior Brother Gong, be careful!"

He Tianshu called out, simultaneously directing his Soaring Sword from another angle, aimed at the serpent’s left eye. Ye Chunqiao was also in motion, her Soul-Devouring Whip snaking toward the serpent.

This whip, made from the skin of a hundred-thousand-year-old cobra, possessed a cultivation far beyond this Scarlet Phosphor Twin-Tailed Serpent. As soon as the serpent sensed the whip’s overwhelming aura, it froze for a split second. That brief hesitation allowed Gong Degang to withdraw and evade the serpent’s attack.

Realizing these three were formidable, the serpent saw Soaring Sword and the Soul-Devouring Whip closing in. It hugged the ground, darting straight for Gong Degang, jaws wide to bite.

Gong Degang, having just retreated, saw the serpent lunging at him and immediately swung his Eight Tigers Sword at its head. The sword was not particularly sharp, but relied on brute force—if it struck true, the serpent’s skull would shatter.

But the serpent was feinting. As the heavy blade fell, it suddenly slithered under Gong Degang’s arm with lightning speed.

"Not good! It’s trying to escape!"

He Tianshu shouted. The Soaring Sword flew out, stabbing straight at the serpent, while Ye Chunqiao’s whip swept in again, blocking its path.

Here, the advantage of the Soul-Devouring Whip’s length became apparent—it could command a vast area.

Seeing no escape, the Scarlet Phosphor Twin-Tailed Serpent coiled tightly, then suddenly unfurled, launching crimson scales in all directions—its final, desperate move.

"Look out!" He Tianshu cried.

His sword had already reached the serpent, but now he was without magical protection, and Gong Degang, being closest, was hit by even more scales, making them nearly impossible to dodge. Only Ye Chunqiao managed better; she spun her whip in a circle, deflecting the flying scales and shielding Gong Degang.

With a sharp crack, the Soaring Sword pierced the serpent’s head, spun in the air, and returned to He Tianshu’s hand. But despite their evasive efforts, the barrage was too dense—a few scales had struck both He Tianshu and Gong Degang.

Though Ye Chunqiao’s whip shielded them, the proximity meant Gong Degang was struck by several scales.

From afar, Yao Xueqing watched, anxious and helpless—by the time she thought to help, it was already too late.